Kids to compete in Maricopa Shark Tank; sponsors sought

Maricopa youngsters from elementary school through high school are again buzzing with ideas to take before local business leaders.

The annual Maricopa Shark Tank is set for Nov. 14 from 5 to 8 p.m.

The event, student-run by the DECA club at Maricopa High School in partnership with Maricopa Center for Entrepreneurship and Maricopa Chamber of Commerce, sees dozens of students presenting their business ideas to the public. In the past, ideas have ranged from shoe designs and makeup parties to magnet earrings and healthy fast food.

“At the high school, all four marketing classes are involved and career and college ready students,” DECA advisor Bernadette Russoniello said. “Around 400 students are developing business plans. How many will make it to Shark Tank is another question.”

The students are competing for the attention of a business “shark,” who may provide resources for getting a fledgling business off the ground. They are also competing for the Audience Choice Award, which is cash.

Russoniello said students in her Advanced Marketing class are planning Shark Tank and will coordinate the night of the event.

From 5 to 6:30 p.m. hopeful students will present their propositions to the community in the high school’s multipurpose room. Community members will be free to go to each group and ask questions and then vote on their favorite three.

There will be a break from 6:30 to 7 p.m.

The future entrepreneurs with the top five scores will then go before the sharks in the Performing Arts Center for a formal presentation and an intense round of questioning.

Students from fifth through 12th grade have been invited. Last year, one of the top five was only 12 years old, evidence that good ideas come in all sizes.

One of the sharks is Maricopa Center for Entrepreneurship Executive Director Dan Beach, who will offer his mentorship services to any of the students who ask.

“They don’t have to get into the top three to become a client,” Russoniello said.

Maricopa Education Foundation is a gold sponsor. Mike Richey of ACE Hardware and City Councilmember Vincent Manfredi are diamond sponsors.

To be a sponsor, contact Russoniello at [email protected].

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This story appears in the November issue of InMaricopa.